A Lesson for the Residents of Bat Yam from the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer

Last night, Monday, the eve of the 27th of Shevat, Parshas Mishpatim, our fellow followers (Anshei Shloimeinu) from the city of Bat Yam entered to hear a lesson from the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a at his holy residence.

Before you is a summary of the lesson, which was delivered over the course of about forty minutes:

The Rav shlit"a began the lesson by discussing the current events, emphasizing the need to strengthen oneself particularly during these days of war, as holy and pure souls fall every day. The Rav mentioned the spiritual awakening within the army, where all the soldiers are doing teshuvah (repentance) and requesting tzitzis (ritual fringes) and Tehillim (Psalms) before heading out to battle.

Afterward, he discussed the dispute between the Ramban and the Rambam regarding the reason why the people of Shechem were liable for death. He then cited the Rambam in the Laws of Teshuvah (5:2), which states: "Every person is worthy of being a tzaddik (righteous person) like Moshe Rabbeinu." He expanded on this matter, saying that on a person's birthday, they have the power to accomplish everything. Just as on a birthday, so too when participating in a Bris Milah (circumcision ceremony), one can bring about all necessary salvations; therefore, the Rav said that one should strive to attend every Bris Milah that takes place.

Next, he cited the 'Heichal HaBracha' (the Komarno Rebbe), who explains that in truth, Esau's source was higher than Jacob's, and that Esau and David shared the same root of being "Admoni" (ruddy)—except that one chose the path of good while the other chose the path of evil.

Following this, he discussed the greatness of Rosh Chodesh (the New Month), stating that the text of the "Ya'aleh V'Yavo" prayer corresponds to the Fiftieth Gate of Holiness. On Rosh Chodesh—at the exact moment of the Molad (the birth of the new moon)—a person can merit the Fiftieth Gate. During his talk, he encouraged traveling to the tomb of Rachel Imeinu (our Mother Rachel).

The Rav further spoke about Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, who went to find a shidduch (marriage match) for Rebecca. He then saw "V'chadah Al Shikmah" (and her pitcher was upon her shoulder), the first letters of which spell "Esau." He cited the 'Imrei Noam,' explaining that in the merit of Eliezer being "machrish" (silent) and not challenging Abraham with the question of how he could be sent to bring a wife for Isaac who would eventually bring forth Esau, he merited to see that "Yaakov Esau" (Jacob Esau) has the same gematria (numerical value) as "machrish." He understood then that Esau is merely the klipah (husk/shell) of Jacob.

The Rav concluded the lesson after forty minutes by speaking about the greatness of traveling to Mount Gerizim—the Mount of Blessing (Har Bracha) located near the city of the covenant, Shechem. The Rav shlit"a said that once in a lifetime, one must go there. He mentioned his own journey there about a year ago, when he visited the site and prayed Shacharis (the morning prayer) on Mount Gerizim, overlooking the tomb of Yosef HaTzaddik (Joseph the Righteous).